FreeWrite

On the way to class I was thinking, foremost, seeing how i forgot my coat, how cold it was this morning. I would have to choose the color white to represent my feeling about the cold. My reason for doing so, is that white is a "winter color". Also, I was thinking about my busy day of back-to-back classes today, including my first chemistry lab. All of this work I pictured in my schedule for the day, I was becoming a little stressed. I would say this thought/feeling of mine would be connected with the color dark blue. I don't choose dark blue because I am sad or lonely, which it is often connected with, but because of the stress and workload before me.

"Hills Like White Elephants"

At the beginning of the story, Hemingway describes the hills in the scenery as long and white. There was no shade nor trees. In Jig's observation as we get into the story, she describes the hills as resembling white elephants. Figuratively, the term "white elephant" refers to a possession that is a financial burden to maintain. A second figurative meaning of a "white elephant" is an endeavor or venture that proves to be a conspicious failure. The baby would be the white elephant if Jig was to go through with the birth.

"Girl"

The primary speaker, the mother, believes the world is a tough place and it is important for a woman to be able to take care of not only herself, but her house, along with the chores, and her family. Also, I believe she sees the world as a place where appearance is very important and people's judgement is based mostly on appearance. In this list, she covers duties and behaviors a mother would hope to see her daughter exemplify. It seems from all that she hopes to instill in her daughter, she has high hopes for her to grow up to be a strong woman with plenty of knowledge about taking care of the house and family (what could have been the role of women at the time).

"The Lone Ranger & Tonto Fistfight in Heaven"

I think there are multiple reasons behind the convenience store worker's perception of the narrator's dark-toned skin and long, black hair to be dangerous. This fear could possibly be just for the fact that it is different. People don't always accept difference if they have grown up and become accustomed to their own. Difference could also bring about suspicion. A good example of this is how many Americans now look at people from the Middle East, which brings me to another potential reason. Perhaps the worker once had a bad encounter with another indian, so he may hold the incident against the whole race. However, it may not even be the appearance of the narrator at all, rather his curious behavior (especially so late at night), which gave the worker reason to be suspicious.

"Girl"

"Girl" by Jamaica Kincaid consists entirely of a list of what to do and what not to do, given from a mother to her daughter. In this list she covers duties and behaviors a mother would hope to see her daughter exemplify. However, I feel the mother has doubts about her daughter actually maturing and becoming a young lady, since she mentions her daughter growing into the slut she warned her about. The mother also details many angles to go about doing something. An example of this is, "...this is how you smile to someone you don't like too much; this is how you smile to someone you don't like at all; this is how you smile to someone you like completely." I picture the mother to be a hard-working, civil, and driven woman who, more than likely, spends much of her time cleaning and taking care of the house. It seems from all that she hopes to instill in her daughter, she has high hopes for her to grow up to be a strong woman with plenty of knowledge about taking care of the house and family (what could have been the role of women at the time). I find the last few lines interesting in that the daughter questions anout the baker letting her feel the bread or not. I think the girl might be thinking of a time in the past when she may have tried to touch the break but the baker did not allow it simply because she was merely a child. Her mother may be misinterpreting her daughter's question or thoughts. Surely by now, after having obtained this list from her mother, the girl will grow into a wiser and more responsible young woman, and will certainly be able to buy her own bread.

"Hills Like White Elephants"

In Ernest Hemingway's short story, Hills Like White Elephants, the conversation is between a man who is referred to as the American and Jig, whom I can only assume is his girlfriend (or possibly wife). The beginning half of the conversation, they are talking about trying new drinks and Jig's observation of the scenery - the hills resembling white elephants. There is an abrupt change of subject with the American states, "It's really an awfully simple operation, Jig." It was not until about half-way through this part of the conversation focusing on this operation, that I clearly understood they were talking about an abortion. Jig was obviously worried about the outcome of the operation effecting their relationship, although he continues to assure her they will be just as they were before the pregnancy. I feel like the decision is ultimately being left up to the man since Jig talks about going through with the surgery just to make him happy in an attempt to hold onto their relationship. From the ending of the story, I think she will have the abortion.

Warm-Up & Freewrite

1. Close reading is the art of active reading paying close attention to the critical and detailed analysis of the text. Much emphasis is put into clear understanding of the text as a whole, as well as being able to pull apart different sections/lines of the text and analyzing the meaning of each. Close reading is reading with a purpose, not just leisurely.

2. Pastoral is a genre portraying rural life or pleasant scenery, along with animals inhabiting the area. The word "pastoral" reminds me of the word "pasture," which is exactly what I believe is being described.


Freewrite:

"Shepard," to me, not only portrays a young man in a field keeping watch over a flock of sheep, but the biblical reference comes to mind as well. I think "shepard" portrays a holy follower.

Desert- a hot, dry, lifeless place, that's wide open with empty space and plenty of sun

Universe- a mysterious, black, limitless space that holds the wonders of our imaginations, and has endless boundaries that we cannot comprehend.

"The Nymph's Reply to the Shepard"

In "The Nymph's Reply to the Shepard," the nymph understands that sadness occurs with every relationship, and that not everything is perfect. She would live with the shepard and be his love if everything went the way he wished, but they don't. She looks for the reality in the shepard's dream for their love, rather than acting on it. She comes across as having more of a pessimistic attitude when it comes to the fate of their love.

"The Passionate Shepard to His Love"

In this poem, Christopher Morlowe expresses his love for a woman (who remains unnamed throughout the poem). The shepard seems to be very materialistic when it comes to building their relationship. He talks about giving her "a gown made of the finest wool" and "fair lined slippers for the cold, with buckles of the purest gold." He would giver her all these valuable things if she would be his love in return. It seems to me that he believes love can be bought.

6-E (pg.135)

"Grandmother," to me, is a word that has a special meaning. I have such a special bond with both of my grandmothers. They have each been there, supporting me in their own ways as far back as I can remember. They are both very loving and caring, and can be looked to for comfort and safety.

6-D (pg.135)

In "Black Elvis," the character's name has a direct connection to his role in the story. He was an African-American who played music similar to that of Elvis. It seems as though Black Elvis felt out of place in society during much of the story. However, he did eventually meet the Chinese Elvis, and then felt more at ease with the situation and society.

Strategies Reading

• It is important to make the distinction between leisure reading and academic reading
• Most academic assignments require a specific level of active engagement - process of discovery, analysis, and reflection. It is important to read for understanding and meaning. What is the meaning of this text?
• Most people who often engage in leisure reading are passive readers.
• Primary text- the original piece of fiction or the poem. The primary text is used when reading for basic understanding within the text.
• Secondary text- literary criticism or other cultural or historical artifacts and information. The secondary text is used to situate the text into a larger cultural context.
• In all of our initial readings, we are active participants.
• Annotation- take notes as you read; annotation is a common strategy used in reading for understanding.
• Skeleton outline- A brief sketchy overview started in the margins of a text and often transferred to outline form.
• Summary- an objective restatement of the main ideas presented in a text.
• Photo collage- a visual representation of your response to the verbal text.
• Dialogue (double-entry journal)-records quotations from the text and pairs them with the reader's response in the form of a two- column list.
• While identifying patterns of response it is important to look for patterns of repetition and patterns of opposition.

Beyond Words Questions

4. Genre is a category used to name and identify a text based on similar characteristics, styles, topics, and/or motives.

9. The subject matter of a text can be signaled through the title or even if it is simply announced to the reader in the text. Oftentimes, the subject matter must be inferred or interpreted, most of which has evidence provided in the text.

12. Context is the who, what, when, where, and why that surround every word, image, or artifact

14. When taking a text apart, it is important to keep in mind the elements that five the text unity, sequences, which link the events, and the way a whole text is divided into parts. It is also important to look for patterns and the physical layout, as in the arrangement and balance of the text.

15. Details are important in texts because they provide support for a claim or make a story believable, as well as contribute (through "supporting details") to the subject or topic.